CHAPTER I

HUAYNA CCAPAC ORDERS A GOLDEN CABLE TO BE MADE. WHY, AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE

The powerful Huayna Ccapac, being now absolute lord of his empire, passed the first year in celebrating the obsequies of his father. Then he set out to visit his provinces, where he was received, with a magnificent welcome, by his vassals. Wherever he went the Curacas and Indians came forth to cover the roads with flowers and boughs, and to build triumphal arches of the same material. They shouted out his royal titles, and that which was most often heard was his own name. The words Huayna Ccapac, Huayna Ccapac, were repeated, those being the titles which did him most honour, because he had merited them from his childhood. Father José de Acosta, among other great things that he says in his praise, has the following passage in the twenty-second chapter of his sixth book:– “This Huayna Ccapac was adored by his people as God, during his lifetime. This is affirmed by the old men, and the same thing is never said of any of his predecessors.”

While he was making this progress through the empire, the Ynca Huayna Ccapac received the news of the birth of a son and heir, who was afterwards named Huascar Ynca.